Process of burning gas



Jan. 20, 1931. H. c. CALDWELL. 1,789,542 I PROCESS BURNING GAS Filed p 1926 2 Sheets-Sheet l Mw Jr W Jan. 20, 1931. H, Q ALD i,789,542

PROCESS OF surmise GAS Filed Sept- 1926 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 atented J" 1931 HENRY C. CALDWELL, OF BUFFALO, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TO CALDWELL EXPERI- MENTAL CORPORATION, OF BUFFALO, NEW YORK, A CORPORATION OF DELAWARE PROCESS OF BURNING GAS Application filed September 16, 1926. Serial No. 135,830;

I have discovered, as a result of numerous experiments, that efliciency in the burning of gas can be greatly increased by increasing the rate of burning of such gas. This, I

.5 find, can be accomplished in two ways: first,

by intensifying the heat of combustion in a refractory tube, which results in creating suction upon the ignited gas, to increase the rate of burning; and, secondly, by provid- 1 ing a strong draft through the device in the efficiency.

I have sought to provide therefore, by my invention, a process in which the conditions above pointed out shall be brought about. I v Y Moreover, in my process, I break up the fuel supply into a multiplicity of threadlikejets and surround the jets with a slight surplus of air.

Furthermore, in my process, I maintain the velocity of the gas as it comes from the mains up to substantially the point of burning, by controlling the size of the jets.

In my process, I simultaneously regulate the amount of air as the quantity of gas being burned is increased or decreased. Moreover, the amount of airis so proportioned and predetermined, that only substantially suficient air is supplied to properly and completely support combustion, but not enough .surplus is allowed to mixwith the gas to chill the same or the refractory tube in which it is burned. v

Any suitable apparatus, whereby the above advantages may be brought about, may be used in carrying out my process. I have shown, in the accompanying drawings, one form of apparatus which may be employed,

'- it being obvious that other formsmay be used.

In the drawings, forming a part of this application: v v

Fig. 1 is an exterior view of the apparatus.

tional view of the mixing unit of the apparatus in'its closed positlon.

Fig. 3 is a similar view of the mixing apparatus in a partly open position.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged, fragmentary, sectlonal view, showing the details of the mixin unit.

rig. 5 is an enlarged, fragmentary view,

showing a portion of the periphery of the piston of the mixing unit.

The apparatus, shown in the accompanying drawings, comprises a refractory element 8 and a mixing unit 9, which is mounted at the entrance end of the refractory element.

The mixing unit comprises a cylinder 10 and a piston 11. Thepiston 11 is stationari- 1y carried by the gas supply pipe 12. The cylinder is provided with a bearing hub 13,

which is mounted upon the supply pipe 12,

and has sliding engagement t erewith. A packing gland 14 serves to pack the joint between the bearing hub 13 and the pipe 12. The cylinderlOis moved backwardly and forwardl over the piston 11, preferably by means 0 an operatmg arm 15. The lower end of this arm is plvotally attached to a bearing block 16. The bearing mounted upon the gas supply pipe 12 and is retained in its adjusted position by means of the set screw'17. A link 18 serves to connect the hub 13 of the cylinder 1Q withthe operating arm 15. The gas su ply pipe 12 is provided with a number of ra 1al openings 19, arran ed to supply gas to the cylinder 10 by moving the cylinder backwardly or forwardly so as to expose more or less of the periphery of the cylinder.

if ed by the cylinder 101's an air supply block is ring 25, having a face portion 26, an inner the spherical member 35. For convenience of flange 24, and an outer flange 27. The inner flange 24 is tightly fitted over the cylinder 10.

and projects forwardly beyond the forward edge of the cylinder a considerable distance, so as to form a shield for directing the gas. The outer flange 27 of the ring slidably engages the forward end of the refractory tube 28 of the refractory element of the burner. This outer flange overlaps the end of the tube a considerable distance, and it is provided with a plurality of auxiliary air openings 29, which are closed by the end of the refractory tube 28, when the parts of the mixing unit are in the positions shown in Fig. 2. The normal amount of air for'light loads is supplied by fixed openings 30, formed in the face 26 of the ring. When, however, more gas is to be consumed, and additional air is, therefore, needed, the auxiliary openings 29 will be exposed by the outer movement of the mixing unit. The amount of air coming through the auxiliary openings 29 will depend upon the movement of the mixing unit, and the parts are so adjusted that this amount will be proportionate to the .increased or decreased amount of gas being consumed. An adjustable ring 31 is arranged on'the outside of the outer flange 27, and this ring is provided with openings registerin with the auxiliary openings 29. By a relative rotation of the ring 31 and flange 27, the size of the auxiliary open ings 29 may be varied to suit existing conditions. An annular shield 32 is carried by the inner peripher of the refractory tube 27, and

- this projects orwardl to a point where it will contact with the ace 26 of the air supply rin 25, when the parts of the mixing unit are in 518i! closed positions, as shown in Fig. 2. Since this ring is stationary, an opening will, of course, be provided between it and the face 26 of the ring, when the mixin unit is in an open position, as shown in Fig. 3. This ring serves to deflect the air coming in through the auxiliary openings 29, and to direct it in substantially the same path asthat taken by the air coming in through the fixed openings 30. v

' I preferably provide the burner with a ilot light 33, which is carried by the forwar end a o the supply pipe 12, and projects into the refractory tube 28.

'E he refractory element 8 of the device may assume any desired form, but it is necessary in the carrying out of m process, that this element be lined with re ractory material a considerable distance, since combustion occurs not at or beyond the mouth of the element, as is customary in the ordinary gas burner, but within the element itself. The outer end of the tube may be provided with a spherical member 35 having an upwardly projecting end 36. To this upwardly projecting end is attached a burner stack 37. This burner stack is preferably lined for some distance above illustration, I have shown a short stack, but

Bunsen practice is carried out. The gas, in

my process, is projected in the form of a .plurality of 'thread-llke jets, and together with the admixed air, is directed into the refractory tube, and combustion occurs within this tube. The air and gas starts to burn right at mixture and combustion continues through the tube. The lining of the tube is thus heated and the rate of combustion of the ignited mixture is then materially increased. Since there is always a strong draft produced by the action of the burner stack, this rate will be further increased, thus increasing the efliciency of the process. It is obvious that since the air supplied, in my process,-is-predeter'mined, there can be no surplus of cold air to chill the heated gases or the refractory tube in which they are burned.

When my rocess is used in connection with a boiler or urnace ofany kind, all surplus air is excluded from the boiler and furnace so that the interior surfaces thereof will not be chilled. Stronger stack pull is thus insured because of the heated surfaces and the concentrated air supply.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is:

1. A process of burning gas which consists in forming a plurality of thread-like gas jets of any desired size, projecting such jets into a refractory combustion chamber, maintaining the full gas main pressure upon such jets whatever their size may be up to the initial point of combustion,and suppl ing the jets with sufficient air to support com ustion within the chamber at the place where the gas and air first mix.

2. A process of burning gas which consists in forming a plurality of thread-like gas jets of any desired size, projecting such jets into a refractory combustion chamber, maintaining the full gas main pressure upon such jets, whatever their size may be, as they are discharged into the combustion chamber, and supplying suflicient air. to the chamber to support combustion therein.

3. A process of burning gas which consists in mixing the gas with air 1n proportions required for substantially complete combustion, and producing immediate combustion in a refractory combustion chamber of such gas and air as they are being initially mixed.

4. A process of burning gas which consists in mixing the as with air in proportions required for su stantially complete combustion, producin immedlate combustion in a refractory com ustion chamber of such gas and air as they are being initially mixed, and increasing the rate of combustion in such comgustion chamber b means of the highly eated walls thereo In testimony whereof, I have hereunto signed my name. y Y

' HENRY G, CALDWELL; 

